THESEA'SWAY 33 



weary and tired, sick of the sea and the storm. We did not 

 know where we were. There had been no sun to take sights 

 from. The chronometer had stopped, beaten into somnolence 

 by the terrific jolting. But it was becoming warmer. We no 

 longer needed coats on deck. Long ago we had discarded every 

 bit of useless apparel. In times of stress it is common custom to 

 be rid of all superfluous appurtenances. We had thrown our 

 shoes aside— could keep the deck better in bare feet. Our hands 

 were a sorry sight. Calluses, open blisters, deep red seams, raw 

 scale covered our fingers and palms. It seemed we had been 

 to sea for an eternity. Ten days. In ten days we had got down 

 to elementals. We were no longer concerned with a scientific 

 program— we would worry with that later— if we survived. 



But one morning the wind dropped, the sun burst from the 

 clouds and nature once again smiled. Hungrily we drank in 

 the warmth, basked in the golden light that streamed from the 

 sky. We had almost forgotten there was a sun. It cheered us 

 immeasurably. And though from out of the north the waves 

 still came piling they did not break, but lifted us gently and 

 passed on as if to say, "There you are, we wouldn't hurt you." 



From out of the sea came flying fish, gliding creatures that 

 skimmed from one wave crest to another. They cheered us too. 

 It is good to see live things around even though they are no 

 more than fishes. With hope renewed we set about straighten- 

 ing ship. It was a herculean task. As if half afraid the sea was 

 playing us tricks, we carefully opened the hatch and bailed 

 water. Gallons and gallons of it we dumped into the sea. Even 

 when we had it all out, the cabin was still the dampest place 

 imaginable, so much so that in the evening, rather than sleep 

 below with all the wreckage to remind us of what we had been 

 through, we lay on the deck beneath the stars. 



We adjust ourselves quickly to new conditions. With fife 

 no longer a struggle for existence our thoughts once again 



